Improved method of affixing tubes in steam-condensers



UNITED STATES PATENT OEE ICE.

WILLIAM F. BROOKS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 38,027, dated March 3], 1863.

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. BROOKS, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Afiixing and Packing the Tubes of Oondensers for Steam-Engines and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being made to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure I is a longitudinal elevation. Figs. II, III, and IV exhibit a modification.

Similarletters indicate similar parts throughout the several figures.

My invention consists in an improved mei hod of packing or securing the ends of tubes in their tube-sheets, in the manufacture of tubular surface-condensers for steam-engines, and for like purposes. The requirements for a surface-condenser, especially when subject to force or pressure, are that the ends ofthe tubes shall be secured in their tube sheets or plates, not only so as to be air and water tight, but so as to have play to allow of expansion and contraction. In the old modes, wherein a rigid fastening was resorted to, the expansion soon destroyed the joints, and hence the Vacuum was impaired, in a manner well known. To allow for this expansion, and give play to the tubes, a stufiing-box for each individual tube was employed. This was both expensive and troublesome to keep in order. My invention is intended to overcome these difficulties, and at the same time reduce the cost of construction. For this purpose I employ indiarubber, or some of its compounds-that known as vulcanized-rubber77 being preferred-said rubber being in theform of sheets, perforated so as to admit the ends of the tubes, and then clamped between two plates to fix and secure the same in place, and also in certain cases to squeeze or press the rubber hard upon the surface of the tubes. The effect of this is to make a tight and at the same time a fiexible joint to allow of the play for expansion. Where the latter is of no consequence, as in the case of Pirssons doublevacuum condenser;7 itis valuable in reducing the cost of construction, and as a ready means of taking tubes out, in case of necessity for repairs or cleaning.

The manner of applying the said packing and aixing the tubes therein is as follows: The letters a a represent the permanent tubesheets of metal, perforated with holes just large enough to pass the ends of the tubes through. These are set up in the cold-water tank, as usual, and secured in a proper manner. Upon this plate there is to be placed a sheet of the rubber packing, as seen at b b, and over this a second plate, c c, which is to be secured or otherwise affixed to the main tubesheet, to act as a clamp to keep the packing in place. Holes are now to becutthrough the rubber opposite to those in the tube-sheet, but a little less :in size, so that when the tubes are driven in the rubber will press upon and t the tube tightly. Tofacilitate the entrance of the tube, I apply a pointed leader or plug, which will tit in the advancing end, as shown at d, and at the other a square-headed plug, e, to receive the blows of the mallet, and thus prevent the end from being bruised. At the driving-end I also give a certain nish to the tube, (shown at f, and consisting in aferrule,) by which the diameteris increased. The holes, therefore, in that tube sheet are larger than in the other. The use of this is to facilitate the withdrawal of the tubes after use, for it is found that a sediment from the water in the tank is likely to be deposited on the surfaces between the two sheets, and thus, as the holes are drilled to t the tubes snugly, it might be difficult to get them out. By the employment of this ferrule, however, so soon as any tube is started, the hole is amply large to pass the body, even if coated, as before named. In this ferrule, also, there is a provision whereby the rubber packing is made to take an additional hold and secure the tube. This consists of a groove, f', into which the rubber can press, as shown in tube A, Fig. l, which is in its place. Instead of clamping the rubber between the plates first, and then drilling or punching holes, these latter may be castin the mold while the sheet is being formed, if preferred. The tubes may also be all racked up, and the rubber put on their projecting ends, and the clamp afterward secured.

What I claim is- 1. The employment of a perforated sheet or sheets of rubber, in combination with the tubesheets and ends of the tubes for securing said tubes in place, and maintaining a tight joint while allowing for the varying length of tubes due to expansion and contraction, as described.

2. The ferrule and groove thereon, for the purpose described herein.

Witnesses: WILLIAM F. BROOKS.

I. P. TRIMBLE, CHAs. G. HAYES. 

